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Thierry Henry Under Investigation By FIFA, Faces World Cup Ban
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by Yuliya Talmazan | December 2, 2009 at 10:52 am
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The captain of French soccer team Thierry Henry is being investigated by FIFA for the handball assist that he played during the World Cup qualifier game with Ireland on November 18. Henry is facing a World Cup ban for playing handball that resulted in a goal for France and helped the team advance into the World Cup Finals. Team Ireland was eliminated as the result. Although a reprimand is the most likely punishment, Henry could be suspended for his violation and might have to miss a portion or even the entire World Cup that will take place next summer in South Africa. Given that Henry is 32 years old right now, missing the 2010 World Cup might end his career with the national team.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter told a news conference: "The disciplinary will open a case on the behaviour of the player Thierry Henry."
"I have not said that Thierry Henry will be punished, I have said that Thierry Henry will be examined by the disciplinary committee of FIFA."
After the handball incident, the Irish Football Association has appealed the result of the match and filed a request for a replay, which was subsequently denied by FIFA. Eventually, the Association asked for Ireland to be included as an extra team during the World Cup, but the request was turned down again. FIFA held an 'extraordinary' meeting today to discuss "incidents at the play-offs for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, match control (refereeing) and irregularities in the football betting market." As the result of today's meeting, FIFA decided against adding extra referees to ensure more fair judging during the matches, something that was suggested after Swedish ref Martin Hansson failed to see Henry's handball during the World Cup qualifier with Ireland.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (1)
at 14:49 on December 2nd, 2009
This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of. Ref missed the call, end of story! Yes it did knock Ireland out of the WC, but the ref's are FIFA certified and if they missed the call, FIFA cannot ban a player for a mistake that their own referees made. Suspend the ref's, not the player. Any player in his situation would have done the same thing to get his team to the WC. Look at Maradona and his 'hand of God'. Should he have been suspended because of it?